Wondering why the e310 is such a smokin' deal?

[Jason Dunn]

I've recieved a few scattered reports on this, and nothing is confirmed, but I have good reason to believe that Toshiba will be releasing an upgraded e310, dubbed the e330, that will have a 300 mhz XScale processor. That could be one reason why there are such <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000658CD/jasondunn-20">great deals</a> on the e310 (affiliate link). Can anyone confirm this?

[tj21]

But would a 300mhz Xscale be any faster than the current 206mhz StrongArm? I've been comparing my e740 to my 236mhz ipaq and the ipaq is ever so slightly faster more often than not. Other marketing reasons is there any reason to want this over the current (and presumably much cheaper) 310?

TJ

[grogma]

The answer is: until Intel and the software vendors create XScale optimized versions of their software a 300MHz XScale will be SLOWER than a 206MHzSA. From what I'm reading about the optimization libraries that Intel just released it sounds like a solution is not yet at hand. So I'd hope that Toshiba will be throwing something else into the mix like better battery life or lower list price than the 310.

[michael]

hmm, if they have an update to the e310, I wonder if there's an update to the e740 coming as well... Although looking at the new iPaqs there doesn't appear that Toshiba have anything to worry about.

[mar2k]

Great, an upgrade for the e310. A great excuse for Toshiba to never fix the ClearType and other issues for the e310.

[michael]

hmm, if they have an update to the e310, I wonder if there's an update to the e740 coming as well... Although looking at the new iPaqs there doesn't appear that Toshiba have anything to worry about.

I might just be right, Amazon have the e740 for just $449 after rebates! :shocked!:

[heov]

from the reports i've been reading, here is the reason.

Toshiba released the e310 directly in the US, not to Japan. This is a US product. the e550g was the Jap product. Well, Toshiba said due to it's sucess in America, it will release an updated one in Japan. So I doubt we will see it back here for a while after that...

[nobody]

How about this for $249?

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=972133&action=rap&promo_id=2787

[mar2k]

CompUSA is listing the e310 as "limited quantities" and "out of stock" at the closest stores in my area. Their website also lists the e310 as "Sold Out" which is usually the case with an item that is being discontinued.

[ThomasC22]

I hope they have more up their sleeve than a 300mhz processor. The problem with the whole "discount until its gone" theory is that people start to expect that level of product for that price so if you do release a product with basically the same functionality (since hte 300mhz XScale is probably slower than the 206mhz StrongArm) you're asking for trouble.

[heliod]

I have heard this from the Toshiba distributor in Israel. But he told me that would happen in August, and, as you know, August is already history...

[Birdman]

Heliod, great site!
Shana Tova! Have an easy fast (if you are so inclined).
Dov (aka Birdman)

[Timothy Rapson]

What is coming is the low power X-Scale that runs at 133 (or even .001) MZ up to 200, scalable.

I have no idea why this product, so touted by Intel almost 2 years ago is completely off the press radar screen. But what would you want? A $300 E310 that has twice the current battery life or a $400 one that pretends to be 50% faster but isn't?